Nortel Power Networks. Click Here. [INLINE] Digital Jam graphic EU stumps for encryption Commission urges U.S. to take 'hands off' approach on regulations October 8, 1997: 3:17 p.m. ET [LINK] [INLINE] Encryption fight rolls on - Sept. 15, 1997 Infoseek search __________ ____ ____ BRUSSELS (Reuter) - European officials urged governments, including the United States, on Wednesday to take a "hands off" approach to regulating the technology needed to ensure that Internet transactions are confidential. [INLINE] "If regulation at all is needed, it should be very light," a top telecommunications commission official said, presenting a report on how the European Union should promote security on the Internet. [INLINE] EU Telecommunications Commissioner Martin Bangemann told reporters that strict controls would end up penalizing law-abiding users rather than the criminals they targeted. [INLINE] He added that the United States, which restricts exports of certain strong encryption products, was becoming isolated on the issue. "We must engage in a debate with the Americans at an international level," he told a news conference. [INLINE] The commission's report addressed the use of encryption and "digital signatures" -- electronic seals that are attached to transmissions to allow recipients to verify their origin and ensure that they have not been tampered with. [INLINE] It urged the EU to take a common approach to the questions, saying otherwise cross-border Internet trade could be hampered. It said it would propose legislation on "digital signatures" in the first half of 1998. [INLINE] Encryption has become a contentious issue because some governments and law enforcement authorities want to regulate it as a way to keep it out of the hands of terrorists and other criminals. France has virtually outlawed use of encryption software. [INLINE] But the commission said controls could impede the growth of a technology that is essential to promoting business over the Internet and would likely not work anyway. [INLINE] "It's not possible to prevent criminals from using modern technologies in order to protect themselves and their messages from the police," Bangemann said. "There's not much point in preventing legal users from having access to this." [INLINE] In addition to its export controls, the United States is discussing legislation that would restrict encryption technology domestically, for example by requiring systems that would allow law enforcement authorities to tap into electronic transmissions. [INLINE] Bangemann renewed his push for a global charter on the Internet that would address questions such as encryption, noting that the United States had already expressed interest in the idea. [INLINE] The Commission said EU legislation on digital signatures would address questions such as legal recognition of signatures, liability, technical requirements and certification authorities (CAs). [INLINE] CAs hold information that allow recipients to confirm the identity of the person that has sent a transmission. [INLINE] It said it would look askance at national restrictions on encryption, however. "Instead of introducing or maintaining rather inefficient but cumbersome restrictions, the Commission invites member states to enhance cooperation of police forces on a European and international level," it said. Link to top home | digitaljam | contents | search | stock quotes | help Copyright 1997 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Copyright © 1997 Cable News Network, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.